Systems and devices for analysis of samples

• US 8,932,523 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opko Diagnostics, LLC (Opko Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Opko Diagnostics, LLC (Opko Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Linder, Vincent, Steinmiller, David, Taylor, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): HIXSON, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US13/088,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20110256551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 422401-404, 422/68.1, 422/82.05, 422/502, 422/505
• US Class Current: 422/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/028 Modular arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0673 Handling of plugs of fluid surrounded by immiscible fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/146 Employing pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/147 Employing temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/027 Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/04 Closures and closing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/14 Means for pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/16 Surface properties and coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/168 Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1827 : using resistive heater
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1894 : Cooling means; Cryo cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0475 : specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 : vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0666 : Solenoid valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/082 : Active control of flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 : by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 : characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 : characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 : characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 : characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 : with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 : Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 : Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/64 : Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 : Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/02 : Mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0612 : Laser diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0621 : Supply
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0697 : Pulsed lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/96433 : Serine endopeptidases (3.4.21)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54313 : the carrier being characterised by its particulate form
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 : Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/57434 : of prostate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 : With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 : Condition responsive control

Abstract

Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.

Claims

1. A microfluidic sample analyzer comprising:

a housing;

an opening in the housing configured to receive a cassette having at least one channel with a fluid sample therein and at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm, wherein the housing includes a component configured to interface with a mating component on the cassette to detect the cassette within the housing;

a pressure-control system positioned within the housing, the pressure-control system configured to pressurize the at least one channel in the cassette to move the sample through the at least one channel, wherein the pressure-control system includes a vacuum source, a manifold coupling the vacuum source to the at least one channel in the cassette, a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure in the manifold, and a valve positioned between the vacuum source and the at least one channel; and

an optical system positioned within the housing, the optical system including a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors spaced apart from the plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are configured to pass light through the cassette when the cassette is inserted into the sample analyzer and wherein the detectors are positioned opposite the light sources to detect the amount of light that passes through the cassette;

wherein the plurality of light sources includes at least a first light source and a second light source adjacent the first light source, wherein the first light source is configured to pass light through a first measurement zone of the cassette and the second light source is configured to pass light through a second measurement zone of the cassette adjacent the first measurement zone.

2. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, comprising an identification reader positioned on or within the housing and configured to read information associated with the cassette.

3. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, comprising a temperature regulating system positioned within the housing, the temperature regulating system including a heater configured to heat the cassette.

4. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, comprising a user interface positioned within the housing and configured for a user to input information into the sample analyzer.

5. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the detectors are adapted and arranged to detect the amount of light transmission through measurement zones of the cassette.

6. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the light sources are configured such that second light source is not activated unless the first light source is deactivated.

7. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the first light source emits light at a first wavelength, and the second light source emits light at a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is the same as the second wavelength.

8. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the first light source emits light at a first wavelength, and the second light source emits light at a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.

9. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the component on the housing configured to interface with the cassette is a spring loaded arm.

10. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 2, wherein the identification reader is a radio frequency identification reader configured to read a radio frequency identification tag associated with the cassette.

11. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 2, wherein the identification reader is a barcode reader configured to read a barcode associated with the cassette.

12. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 3, wherein the temperature regulating system further includes a cooler configured to cool the cassette.

13. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, further comprising a cassette inserted into the housing of the analyzer, the cassette having at least one channel with a sample contained therein.

14. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 13, wherein the diameter of the at least one channel is between approximately 50 μ

m and approximately 500 μ

m.

15. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 13, further comprising a fluidic connector detachably coupled to the cassette, wherein the fluidic connector includes a channel configured to fluidly connect first and second channels of the cassette when the fluidic connector is detachably coupled to the cassette.

16. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are configured to activate sequentially with only one light source activated at a time.

17. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the optical system is configured to measure optical density at the first measurement zone as a function of time.

18. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, comprising a communication system which is configured to communicate with the control system to output information about a sample to a secondary device.

19. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the microfluidic analyzer comprises a vent valve comprising a solenoid positioned above a seal, wherein the solenoid is adapted to press the seal against the cassette.

20. A microfluidic sample analyzer as in claim 1, wherein the microfluidic analyzer comprises a vent valve adapted to be connected to a port of the cassette via a manifold.